IBM Services has struck a $325 million agreement with Juniper Networks to help the company manage its infrastructure, applications and IT services, as it builds its cloud-focused strategy.

In April, Juniper Networks announced the Contrail Enterprise Multicloud solution, which offers a common way of managing the overlay and underlay, or orchestration, visibility and security. That announcement piggy-backed on one made earlier that year outlining an expanded portfolio for a secure, multicloud computing strategy that includes the data center, campus, branch office and cloud.

Juniper Networks’ Robert Worrall

“A key element of our digital transformation is to manage the complexities of our global operation and to get the most out of current investments,” said Bob Worrall, chief information officer at Juniper Networks. “In working with IBM Services, we will be able to collaborate with them on innovative solutions for our cloud-first business model.”

The IBM Services deal with Juniper Networks spans seven years. IBM will use its IBM Services Platform with Watson to help manage Juniper’s support systems including data centers, help desks and voice and data networks.

IBM Services Platform with Watson powers IBM Services to autonomously manage IT operations to deliver high service quality.

As part of the services agreement, Juniper Networks will leverage IBM’s cognitive technologies to create an agile IT environment, with the introduction of IBM’s Factory Development concept. This concept is applied to application management using automation and cognitive designed to help Juniper drive efficiency, reduce costs and help Juniper Networks move toward achieving its cloud-first business model.

“Our work with thousands of enterprises globally has led us to the firm belief that a one-cloud-fits-all approach doesn’t work and companies are choosing multiple cloud environments to best meet their needs,” said Martin Jetter, senior vice president of IBM Global Technology Services. “Working with Juniper, we are integrating cloud solutions with their existing IT investments via the IBM Services Platform with Watson. That gives them the opportunity to generate more value from existing infrastructure, along with helping them manage strategic services that are critical to their business.”